New 12 GA DHE
 

I just bought my 1st Parker shotgun, it's a 12 ga. DHE grade. I joined the Parker club and just received my letter on my gun. The letter states it was made in 1935 and it has 2-5/8" chambers. Question is, do you only shoot
2-5/8" shells ? or will it bee ok to shoot 2-3/4" target loads ? I've heard the gun will pattern better with the 2-5/8" shells ........................

You should be able to shoot low pressure 2 3/4" shells in your DHE without any issues.

Guns with 2 5/8" Chambers were intended to shoot 2 3/4" shells.

Edgar I was trying to be kind................

No one can tell you over the internet what ammunition may or may not be safe in a given gun.

The Remington era Parker specification sheets shown on pages 164 to 169 of The Parker Story clearly state 2 5/8 inch chambers intended for 2 3/4 inch shells. In theory, a 1935 vintage gun was made well after SAAMI specs for ammunition came into effect and your Parker should handle any commercial 2 3/4 inch lead loads. Whether the 86 year old wood is up to it is a whole different issue. Any of these guns that saw use in the 1920s to 80s probably digested plenty of Western Super-X, Peters High Velocity, Remington Heavy Duck Loads (later Nitro Express) or Winchester Super-Speed shells. These were the popular shells when your gun was made --

Attachment 96709

Attachment 96716

Attachment 96717

I think you're doin a helluva job, Reggie.

I have a 1898 DH 12 on the 2-frame with 2 9/16" chambers in the original Titanic Steel barrels and I've shot all kinds of off-the-shelf 2 3/4" ammo (NOT magnum) in it with never a problem. Some kick harder than others though and some folks advise to shoot low-recoil loads because of the age of the wood.





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James the first order of business is to determine if your barrels are safe to shoot any type of ammunition. You need to have the wall thickness measurements taken by someone who is qualified. Once you determine the integrity of your barrels then you can more appropriately decide what your gun is capable of handling. At the end of the day I always favor low pressure loads personally no matter how they measure but that's just me.

Well I guess I learned something today, I have several vintage SxS of this time period of all makes & models and they have either 2-3/4" or 3" chambers stamped on the barrel or the water table.

James, do you think those stamps are original or might they have been stamped by a smith who lengthened the chambers? No offense intended, just asking...

And which of your vintage SXS's are stamped that way, if you don't mind?





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